Press

Businesses and families could soon have access to natural gas in Pictou County, making the area a better place to do business and more affordable to live and raise families.   

"Our businesses, families, and others in the community understand the benefits of natural gas, and the province is pleased to work with Heritage Gas to deliver it," said Energy Minister Charlie Parker. "It will save millions of dollars in energy costs for large industrial employers, with savings around the corner for small businesses, hospitals, schools and family homes."

Heritage Gas is investing $15.3 million to extend its pipeline to Pictou County.

"We are proud to make this substantial investment in getting natural gas to Pictou County," said Jim Bracken, president of Heritage Gas. "Energy is a significant cost for industrial and commercial enterprises, so we are proud that we can help companies strengthen their competitiveness and position in the community. Northern Pulp's commitment as our first anchor customer was critical to making this project work.
 

"This is the first phase of the project and we look forward to working with the community to begin assessing feasibility of further expansion in 2014 and beyond."

The province is contributing $2.5 million to help with start up, which will be refunded as more businesses join.

"The chamber of commerce is truly excited and encouraged that natural gas will be coming to Pictou County," said Dave Freckelton, past-president, Pictou County Chamber of Commerce. "As we continue to plan for the economic future of this region, it is imperative we have energy sources that are cost effective and environmentally friendly. The announcement made today is a significant step in working towards an alternative for our members to consider."

As Heritage Gas builds the pipeline, Northern Pulp will convert its plant to natural gas as part of the company's plan to reduce its energy costs and improve air quality and environmental performance. The province will lend Northern Pulp $3.6 million and provide a capital equipment incentive of $900,000 to help it convert.

"The delivery of natural gas to Pictou County is good for business," said Pat Lee, CEO, Pictou County Health Authority. "Our business is health care and we are continually seeking efficiencies and ways to save money. Natural gas will give us substantial annual savings, money that can be redirected to patient care."

Heritage Gas is submitting an application to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board to expand into Pictou County. A separate application is being filed to establish a new rate for Northern Pulp.

Heritage Gas and Northern Pulp can terminate the agreement if the approvals are not granted

The first phase, to begin this spring, is to build a steel pipeline to Northern Pulp, on Abercrombie Point. That is expected to be finished by Dec. 1, with an extension to New Glasgow and Stellarton planned for 2014.

Natural gas burns cleaner than other fossil fuels, emitting 45 to 80 per cent less carbon dioxide than coal, and two-thirds that of oil, with negligible sulfur dioxides.

"Natural gas is an important part of the province's plan to move toward cleaner and more renewable energy sources, leading to lower, fairer electricity prices for Nova Scotians over the long term," said Mr. Parker.

Heritage Gas Limited is a Nova Scotia-based company formed to operate a full regulation natural gas distribution franchise in the province. In 2012 alone, Heritage Gas customers saved more than $77 million and reduced emissions by over 160,000 tonnes.

Heritage Gas reaches more than 20,000 households and businesses throughout Nova Scotia. It is owned by AltaGas Utility Group Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AltaGas Limited.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

Businesses and families could soon have access to natural
gas in Pictou County, making the area a better place to do
business and more affordable to live and raise families.

Energy Minister Charlie Parker says natural gas will save
millions of dollars in energy costs for large industrial
employers, with savings around the corner for small businesses,
hospitals, schools and family homes.

Heritage Gas is investing 15-point-3 million dollars to

extend its pipeline to Pictou County. The province is

contributing 2-point-5 million dollars to help with start up,
which will be refunded as more businesses join.

The province will lend Northern Pulp, the first anchor

customer, 3-point-6 million dollars to convert to natural gas

with a 900-thousand dollars capital equipment incentive.

Heritage gas has applied for the Utilities and Review board
for approvals. Both companies can end the deal if they are not
received.

The pipeline is expected to reach Northern Pulp by December
1st with expansion to New Glasgow and Stellarton planned for
2014.

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Media Contacts:
Tina Thibeau
Economic and Rural Development and Tourism
902-424-5836
E-mail: thibeatd@gov.ns.ca

Jim Bracken
Heritage Gas Ltd.

902-466-2003
E-mail: jbracken@heritagegas.com  

March 22, 2013
For immediate release

SCARBOROUGH - FIBA Canning Inc. announced today the delivery of the largest Quad Axle compressed natural gas (CNG) Super Jumbo tube trailers in the world to Heritage Gas of Nova Scotia.

Heritage Gas is a customer-focused natural gas distributor committed to building a safe, viable and accessible natural gas distribution system in Nova Scotia, including the distribution of CNG to customers via a ‘pipeline on wheels’. “Through our leading technology for CNG, Heritage Gas will be servicing large industrial and institutional customers via custom built tube trailers,” said Ken Canning, Vice President of Sales for  FIBA Canning.

The trailers are the largest quad axle jumbo tube trailers in the world and are each capable of hauling nearly 300,000 standard cubic feet of CNG. The trailers contain 14 jumbo tubes each and have a water volume of nearly 36,842 litres. The UN rated tubes are manufactured in accordance with ISO standard 11120 and approved by Transport Canada.

“Heritage Gas is well on its way to being operational for its first CNG shipments in May. We are very excited about receiving our first batch of CNG trailers and beginning to use them as another means of getting gas to customers in Nova Scotia,” said Jim Bracken, President of Heritage Gas.

FIBA Canning Inc. is an Ontario based company formed to service the compressed gas industry. FIBA Canning is a privately owned family business and has been building and servicing high pressure gas trailers for more than 30 years, supplying governmental, military, nuclear, energy and industrial gas companies.

Heritage Gas Limited is a Nova Scotia-based company formed for the purpose of operating a full regulation natural gas distribution franchise in Nova Scotia. In 2012 alone, Heritage Gas customers saved over $70 million. Heritage Gas now services more than 20,000 homes and businesses throughout Nova Scotia. Heritage Gas is owned by AltaGas Utility Group Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AltaGas Limited (TSX:ALA) (TSX:ALA.PR.A) (TSX:ALA.PR.U).

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Media Contacts:
Jim Bracken
Heritage Gas Ltd.
902-466-2003
jbracken@heritagegas.com

Ken Canning
Vice President, Sales
FIBA Canning Inc.
(905) 231-1899
sales@fibacanning.com 

Labour and Advanced Education
March 1, 2013 9:57 AM

Some Nova Scotians who heat their homes with oil will now have access to a cheap and easy way to convert to natural gas.  The province and Heritage Gas have identified a safe and cost-effective way to convert an oil furnace to burn natural gas.

Metro Burner Services, a local company that specializes in heating, can do the conversion in a way that meets national standards.

"We are committed to making life better and more affordable for families," said Labour and Advanced Education Minister Marilyn More.  "We know that heating costs are one of the biggest expenses for families.  By working with our partners in natural gas, we are providing Nova Scotians with a safe option to convert to this cost-effective heating source, helping them to reduce their monthly costs.

"For those Nova Scotians in areas that have availability, who have done their homework and have decided to convert, we've simply removed some of the barriers."

In the past, Nova Scotians who wanted to convert from oil to natural gas would have to replace their whole heating system, costing around $12,000 to $15,000.  Now, only the burner has to be replaced, providing the appliance meets certain conditions, costing around $3,000 to $4,000, according to Heritage Gas.

"My husband and I are in the process of purchasing a home in a neighbourhood that has natural gas availability, but before today, we thought it was going to be too expensive to convert," said Emily Moir, a homeowner in Bedford. "There is no sense having access to a cheap heating source if the tools needed to provide it are too expensive. It is great to see that government and the right people are working together to make natural gas more accessible to existing and new homeowners, like us."

March 12, 2013
For immediate release

DARTMOUTH – Heritage Gas has awarded Fisher Transport Limited the carrier contract for transporting compressed natural gas (CNG) to Heritage Gas’ CNG customers in Nova Scotia. The first project will be hauling CNG to The Shaw Group’s facilities in May 2013.

“We are delighted to be working with Fisher Transport to deliver CNG. They have demonstrated the reliability and strong safety record  Heritage Gas requires to transport CNG,” said Jim Bracken, President of Heritage Gas. Bracken adds that this contract award is another step forward in Heritage Gas’ commitment to getting natural gas to as many Nova Scotians as we can.

Fisher Transport will be hauling Heritage Gas’ specialized tube trailers that contain CNG to the industrial and institutional receiving stations.

“Fisher Transport is pleased to be part of Heritage Gas’ innovative use of this technology to bring a cleaner and more affordable energy source to customers across the province. We are pleased they have chosen us as a partner,” said Ken MacDonald, President of Fisher transport. MacDonald adds that Fisher brings an outstanding safety record and extensive experience transporting bulk liquids to this partnership and is very enthusiastic about the opportunity. 

Heritage Gas Limited is a Nova Scotia-based company formed for the purpose of operating a full regulation natural gas distribution franchise in Nova Scotia. In 2012 alone, Heritage Gas customers saved over $70 million. Heritage Gas now reaches more than 20,000 residences and businesses throughout Nova Scotia.  Heritage Gas is owned by AltaGas Utility Group Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AltaGas Limited (TSX:ALA) (TSX:ALA.PR.A) (TSX:ALA.PR.U).

Fisher Transport has been operating for over 50 years as an exclusive bulk liquid transporter. Since Ken MacDonald acquired ownership of Fisher Transport in 1992, the business has expanded from a local operation to servicing the four Atlantic Provinces, Quebec and Ontario out of their base in Milford N.S.

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Media Contacts:
Jim Bracken
Heritage Gas Ltd.
902-466-2003
jbracken@heritagegas.com

Ken MacDonald
Fisher Transport Ltd.
902-441-7108
kmacdonald@fishertransport.com